Mariah Kisling

Buying a home is an exciting yet stressful adventure. It’s a big deal. You don’t want to purchase the home and then find out it has millions issues. It’s easy to just focus on the things we like about the house, or even if we see any major issues. But don’t forget, even the small maybe “unseen” problems can be huge and costly over time.

Here are some things to check before purchasing your home:

Rotting Wood: Areas where there is constant high moisture are susceptible to rotting. Be sure that the wood around the tub/shower, toilets, sinks, and dishwasher are still strong. These areas should be protect by a special paint or finish to prevent from rot.

Poor Ventilation: Proper ventilation is important in helping evaporate moisture, without it issues like the weakening of building materials and mold can occur. Be sure to ask about the home’s HVAC issues and maintenance.

Do-It-Yourself Repairs: We all like to save money, there is no arguing that. Lots of homeowners will repair electrical and plumbing problems themselves to save a couple bucks. Improper repairs can lead to more damage in the future. Asking about remodels and repairs can tell you a lot about how the home was maintained.

Inadequate Drainage: Having proper drainage is huge, bigger than you’d think. Improper draining systems can lead to flooding in basements, garages, and crawl spaces, and we all know what loves moisture. Mold. Mold growth adds a whole other monster to the situation.

Problematic or Aging Heating and Cooling System: Older or issue-ridden HVAC systems can emit harmful fumes if not properly maintained. Older systems must work harder to keep the home at the selected temperature therefore are less efficient and more costly than modern HVAC units.

Environmental Hazards: Due to less knowledge about environmental hazards, there were fewer building restrictions than there are today. Older homes often contain lead-based paints, radon, high levels of carbon monoxide, molds, and even asbestos. Professional testing and/or monitoring is required for these.

Remember that even issues that seem small could grow into a much bigger costly issue.

Let’s cut to the chase; we are The L&R Group and
this is what we can do for you!

We have a number of different services to choose from, like, phase 1 site assessments, mold investigations and testing, to asbestos bulk sample analysis and microscopy. Our laboratory analyst will provide you with reliable and timely results, with over 11 years of testing experience.

We are proudly recognized as Idaho’s largest privately owned industrial hygiene laboratory. We are the Treasure Valley’s first choice for quality testing, accurate results, and environmental expertise.

Questions, concerns, or confusion? We’d love to come out and give a 15-20 minute presentation about our services, describe how we can help your business, and answer any questions you might have.

The United States has known that asbestos is related to diseases, cancers, and other health concerns for over 100 years. Yet today, it’s still legal.

Asbestos can be found in thousands of products and materials like attic insulation, floor tiles, heating ducts, brake pads, vinyl wallpaper, and many others. Asbestos is a known carcinogen, which is a substance capable of causing cancer. In 1955 Dr. Richard Doll published a study that linked asbestos to lung cancer. Then, in 1976 the International Agency for Reach on Cancer confirmed that all forms of asbestos cause cancer.

So why hasn’t asbestos been banned? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPS) tried in 1989 with the Asbestos Ban and Phase-Out Rule, but when manufacturers of asbestos challenged the EPA in court it ended with overturning the ban. Though regulated, it’s still legal to import raw asbestos into the United States. In 2015 the US International Trade Commission reported 343 metric tons of asbestos were imported into the US. In 2016 that number was nearly doubled. Asbestos-related deaths in America are estimated to be 15,000 every year, yet, this number doesn’t stop the importation of the hazardous mineral.

You can help by educating and sharing the information about asbestos still being legal. Most Americans think asbestos is a thing of the past, but it's still happening. It’s still being imported.

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What Sets The L&R Group Apart

The L&R Group understands that customers have a choice where they purchase. We recognize we are a partner with our clients to provide high quality services at a fair price. The L&R Group focuses on supplying our client’s excellence in those services, with our greatest goal in gaining total customer satisfaction, confidence, and enthusiasm. We make every effort to build reliability, trust, and friendships through honesty and integrity to ensure healthy long-term alliances with our clients.

The L&R Group believe our employees are our greatest resource and we seek to provide a professional, safe, and enjoyable work environment that supports job enthusiasm, positive relationships, and effective teamwork. We work to provide clear communication of direction and goals and to motivate our team to achieve these goals. We seek to inspire loyalty to our company by treating all our employees with respect, recognition, and understanding. We support a dedication to both work and family and desire that our employees find balance in a high commitment to both. We strive to have fun and enjoy our relationships with those with whom we interact.